Light reflector for lanterns



March 12, 1957 H. F. TERRY LIGHT REFLECTOR FOR ,LANTERNS Filed July 31, 1956 009s: amoom R O N E V m Yen/"g FY3171 ATTORNEY United States Patent 2,785,290 LIGHT REFLECTOR FOR LANTERNS Henry F. Terry, Natick, Mass, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Application July 31, 1956, Serial No. 601,327 Claims. (Cl. 240-11) (Granted under Title 35, U. S..Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The invention relates to liquid or gaseous fuel lanterns of the type having an upright, generally cylindrical chimney or globe held in place by a top assembly of metal which provides vents for the products of combustion and also mounts the usual bail handle for carrying the lamp.

In such lanterns, the top assembly provides little or no means for directing the lantern light downwardly. Such reflectors as are known are mounted laterally of the globe and are used to direct the light thereof laterally in one direction. Thus, when the lantern is used as an overhead source of light there is substantially little of its light directed downwardly where it is needed the most.

With the foregoing in view, it is an object of the invention to provide a reflector or shade for a lantern which directs the lantern light downwardly.

A further object is to provide such a shade or reflector which is readily detachably applied to a standard lantern without any modification of the latter and without requiring the use of tools or any special skill.

A further object is to provide an improved lantern shade or reflector such as that last described which, when in place, serves to lock the bail handle of the lantern in its vertical position.

Other objects and advantages reside in the particular structure of the invention and the combination of the same with a lantern, all of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the attached drawing in connection with the following specification wherein the invention is shown, described and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the upper part of a standard lantern showing a reflector or shade according to the invention applied thereto, the reflector being shown in diametral, vertical section;

Figure 2 is a plan view of lantern;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the reflector apart from the lantern and taken at right angles to the plane of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts in all views, designates generally any standard lantern which may have an upright and substantially cylindrical globe 11, a mantle 12 enclosed thereby, and vertical metal stays 13 which support a metal top assembly 14. Two oppositely disposed stays 13a may be formed with radially outwardly extending ofisets 15 in which the free ends 16 of a bail handle 17 are pivoted. The top assembly 14 includes an upright cylindrical portion 18 which arises from a radially outwardly extending annular shoulder 19 WhlCh the reflector apart from the "ice terminates just inwardly of the lower leg portions 20 of the bail handle 17. As so far described the structure is conventional and forms no part of the invention apart from any combination or sub-combination which may be claimed hereinafter.

The shade according to the form of the invention illustrated, comprises a hollow frusto-conical shade or reflector 21 which is preferably formed of one piece of any suitable sheet material. The blank forming the reflector is formed to the frusto-conical formillustrated and the free end edges 22 and 23 are connected together in any suitable or well known manner as by the interlocking seam 24 which is best seen in Figure 4. This arrangement provides a central opening 25 at the upper or frustum end of the reflector 21 which is of a size to have a free fit over the upright portion 18 of the top assembly 14. An annular marginal upper edge portion 26 of the reflector which defines the top opening 25 is engaged by the annular shoulder 19 of the top assembly to support the reflector 21 in place.

To prevent relative rotation of the shade or reflector 21 on the lantern 10, opposite portions of the upper edge of the reflector 21 are formed with slots 27 in which the lower leg portions 20 of the bail handle are seated. In the embodiment illustrated the slots 27 are straight and are radially directed but need not be limited to this precise structure except as hereinafter claimed. This arrangement not only prevents relative rotation of the reflector 21 and lantern 10 but also serves to lock the bail handle 17 in a vertical position so that swinging of the lantern 10 on the horizontal axis of the bail ends 16 is prevented together with the resultant dislodgement of the reflector 21. Likewise, the slots 27 permit the edge 26 to overlap the shoulder 19 and prevent the escape of light upwardly through the opening 25.

It should be noted that although a specific form of lantern 10 has been partially disclosed, it is understood that most if not all standard lanterns have the same general structure whereby the reflector 21 shown and described will fit substantially all lanterns without modification. At most, reflectors can be fitted to any standard lantern of the type involved by merely varying the size of the top opening 25 and/ or the length of each slot 27. Obviously, the reflector according to the invention is applied to and removed from the lantern without requiring the use of any tools whatsoever or the modification of the lantern. Thus, it is readily applicable to all standard lanterns of the class described by unskilled personnel. Also, it should be noted that the reflector 21 is so designed as to be readily made by machine tools at low cost.

While there has been shown and described what is now thought to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of other forms and expressions. Consequently, the invention is not to be considered as being limited to the precise structure shown and described hereinabove except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. The combination with a lantern including a globe and a top assembly atop the globe, said assembly including an upright cylindrical portion, an annular shoulder below said portion concentrically outwardly thereof, and a bail handle having said portions terminating in lower ends pivoted to opposite sides of said lantern below said shoulder; of a light reflector for said lantern, comprising a hollow frusto-conical shade having an upper edge defining a central opening, said opening being sized to receive said cylindrical portion freely therein, said shade being supported on said shoulder, and said upper edge of said shade including means readily detachaoly engaging said side portions of said bail handle to prevent pivotal movement of said handle relative to said lantern.

2-. The combination with a lantern including a globe and a. top assemb y a p h lo sa ssem y i cluding an upright cylindrical portion, an annular shoulder below said portion concentrically outwardly thereof, and a bail handle having side portions terminating in lower ends pivoted to opposite sides or" said lantern below said shoulder; of a light reflector for said lantern, comprising a hollow frusto-conical shade having an upper edge defining a central opening, said opening being sized to receive said cylindrical portion freely therein, said shade being supported on said shoulder, and said upper edge of said shade being formed with means readily detachably engaging said side portions of said bail handle to prevent pivotal movement of said handle relative to a said lantern,

3, The combination according to claim 2, wherein said means engaging said handle comprise a pair of recesses formed in said upper edge of said shade.

4, t 4. The combination of claim 2, wherein said upeer dg of said sh is ormed with a Pa ame r l located slots slidably receiving said opposite portions of said handle therein to provide said means preventing relative pivotal movement.

5. The combination of claim 4, wherein said slots are straight and extend radially of said opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

